Temperature-regulating attachment for linotype machines and similar purposes



Jan. 21, 1930. E. s. HALSEY TEMPERATURE REGULATING ATTACHMENT FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES AND SIMILAR PURPOSES Filed July 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l v I nuen i'br d 15: Jialse VA/m 7%- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 27, 1927 7 Edwa Jan. 21, 1930. E. s. HALSEY TEMPERATURE REGULATING ATTACHMENT FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES AND SIMILAR PURPOSES IPUIIJPGSIIS application filed Juiy 537,

One object of the invention is to provide a sensitive thermostatic control system for use on linotype machines for keeping the molten metal in the pots or tanks at a prescribed fluid state in order that uniformity in the formation of the slugs may be obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve controlled electro-magnetically at a minimum expenditure of current, said valve controllin the supply as to a burner. Other objects 0 the invention will appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a molten metal container in section with the thermostat therein, the heating element and other features, certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the valve casing showing the ball valve and electro-magnet in elevation with core pieces partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a view of a modified form of valve and electro-magnetic pole pieces.

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views of details relating to the gas supply connections.

In these drawings 1 is the container for the molten metal, 2 the piston and cylinder, and 8 the delivery conduit or nozzle by which the molten metal is directed to the matrices where the slugs or lines of type are produced, all of these parts being of the ordinary form used in linotype machines.

These containers are heated by gas and in my improvement the gas burner comprises two heating elements or burners.

One of these, shown at 4, may be desirably of ring form, to which the gas is supplied by a pipe 5 controlled by a valve at 6 which may be set by hand to get the desired height of flame at said ring-shaped heating element.

This burner 4 is intended to be in constant operation and the degree of heat derived therefrom is calculated or regulated by said valve to be sufficient to maintain the metal in the pot or tank in a fluid state, though not at that degree of fluidity desired for the perfect working of the apparatus. For the purpose of raising the temperature within the pot to that degree necessary to attain the desired fluid state of the-molten metal, I provide a second burner 7, this being generally of the gas jet type, consisting of a vertical tube with its upper end reduced or flattened in one direction, providing a corrugated outlet. This burner is of sufficient capacity to supply that amount of heat to the pot over and above that supplied by the other or constant burner 4 to raise the temperature within the pot high enough to obtain the desired fluidity of the metal which is kept molten by the burner 4. In this sense, both burners may be said to be major burners in that the one (4) will attain a certain degre of fluidity of the metal, while the other burner augments the heating eflect to get the desired fluid condition of the molten metal. The burner 7 is controlled to cut off and put on as the conditions in the pot require, for which purpose the supply of gas thereto is automatically controlled by an electro-magnetically operated valve 8, the electro-magnetic control means being in turn controlled by the thermostat 17 within the pot or molten metal container.

When this valve 8, which is desirably in the form of a ball, is closed, the burner 7 goes out, and when the ball valve opens the gas is supplied to the burner 7, which on emerging therefrom is lightened by the flame of the burner 4. While the latter performs the function of a pilot light for the burner 7, it will be understood that said burner 4 is diflerent from an ordinary pilot light in that it furnishes the major portion of the heat constantly to the bottom of the pot for keeping the metal therein molten, and the burner 7 which is of such capacity or power to give suflicient added heat to bring the temperature within the pot up to the degree desired. Both burners therefore may be said to be major burners, that numbered 4 delivering the greater heat, while that numbered 7 refining, as it where, the heating action by supplying the heat for the lesser range of temperature necessary to maintain the desired fluidity of the metal.

The burner tube is attached to its gas supply pipe 9 by an ear 10 on the end of the pipe 9 passing through a perforation in the lower end of the burner tube, apin 11 complot-ing the connection. The end of the supply tube is flattened as at 9, Fig. 6, where it enters the lower end of the burner tube. The port 12 for the passage of gas from the supply pipe into the burner tube is inclined, as shown in Fig. I, so as to counteract the general direction of the flow of the gas and cause the flow to take a vertical course in the' tube 7. This gas supply pipe is supported by a bracket 13 attached to a portion of the-gas pipe 5.

The ball valve which controls the passage of gas through the pipe 9 to the burner 7 rests when closed upon a seat 14;, Fig. 2. It is thus normally below the poles 15 of the electro-magnet 16, which is energized when the temperature within the molten metal pot falls below the degree prescribed, so that gas will then be supplied to the burner 7 owing to the ball being lifted from its seat due to the attraction of the poles of the magnet. These poles extend through the wall of the valve casing 8 and have their inner ends flush with the interior wall of said casing. I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement shown, but as illustrated, both poles extend through the wall of the casing and at diametrically opposite points thereof, one being preferably at a lower level than the other.

\Vhen the magnet is energized the ball is first drawn to one side off of its seat, so as to permit the passage of'gas. This action is induced by the lowermost pole. The ball then rolls u the side of the casing under the influence 0 said pole piece, assisted by the other pole piece in a higher plane, so that said ball assumes a sufficiently elevated position to be entirely clear of its seat, the upper limit of movement being at a point along an inclined line intersecting the two pole pieces. The flow of gas is downwardly past the ball from the pipe section 9 through the valve casing, down past the valve to the pipe section 9 and thence to burner 7 It takes but a minimum amount of current to make the ball roll off its seat and move up along the wall of the casing to its prescribed full open position. The ball remains up under the magnetic attraction of the pole pieces until the temperature in the melting pot rises above the prescribed degree, whereupon the thermostat 17 within the pot will cause the breaking of the circuit in which the electro-magnet is located and thus the ball, being no longer subjected to the action of the magnet, will fall upon its seat and cut ofit the supply of gas to the burner, which will then go out until the temperature in the pot falls to the prescribed low limit, when the thermostat will again close the electric circuit, re-energize the magnet, raise the ball and supply gas to burner 7 which will then be. lighted by the constantly maintained flame of burner 4, when the temperature will again be restored in the pot.

It will be seen from the above that the range of variation of the temperature within the melting pot may be within comparatively narrow limits, the constant burner 4 preventing fall of temperature below the lower limit and its effect being augmented by the action of the second burner 7 toraise the temperature to the prescribed high limit. This circuit closer not shown is enclosed within a casing of which the base is shown at 22.

At 22 I show a cover for the circuit closer to protect it from the molten metal. In the operation of the machine the molten metal is liable to splash when introducing a new supply of metal. The cover is of such a character as will allow the scale to be read.

I claim:

1. A pump fed matrix molding machine having a pumpv well crucible, heating means acting thereon capacitated to furnish a constant heat sufiicient to hold the charge of molten metal at the most efiicient molding temperature, while idling, and to furnish suddenly the full increment of heat necessary to restore said efiicient temperature when the temperature of the molten metal slightly lowers, said heating means having two supply connections, one being manually adjusted to give said constant efficient molding heat, while idling, and the other supply being thermostatically controlled from the heat of the molten metal to automatically and suddenly give said full increment of restoring heat when the temperature of the molten metal slightly lowers, or to suddenly cut 03 said automatic supply to withdraw said full increment of heat upon a slight rise of temperature of the charge above said eflicient molding temperature, thereby leaving the crucible under the influence of said constant eificient idling heat, substantially as described.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for turning said auxiliary heater on and oft suddenly is of electro-magnetic character and electric contacts controlled by said thermostat for energizing or de-energizing said electro-magnetic means.

3. Heating means for a matrix pump feeding crucible, of a type metal molding machine, in which during operation, variable sized slugs are added to the bath, comprising a main constant heater for said crucible adapted to heat its charge of feed metal approximately up to the proper feed temperature while idling but insufiiciently while working, and an intermittent auxiliary heater for said crucible so adapted and applied as to promptly concentrate its full heating effeet on said crucible whenever the temperature of its feed metal falls slightly below the predetermined desired degree, and so that its heating effect will be promptly extinguished upon said temperature being slightly exceeded, and a sensitive thermostatic control mechanism for said intermittent heater having intimate thermal contact with said feed metal.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

EDWARD S. HALSEY. 

